INSPIRED by a stunning win over last season’s finalist, Melbourne will bid to smash a Super Rugby hoodoo in Dunedin next week when the Rebels chase a historic first win on foreign soil against the Highlanders.

Despite close calls in New Zealand and South Africa over the past three years, Melbourne has a 0-12 record abroad.

But, after causing the boilover of the season with a stirring 32-24 win over the Brumbies on Friday night, self-belief among the Melbourne playing staff is suddenly surging.

Man-of-the-match Jason Woodward best summed up the mood after producing a club record 27 points, including a try, six penalties and two conversions.

“We’ve got a bit of confidence up,” the gun fullback said.

“If we can knock over a team like the Brumbies, we can knock over anyone.

“We haven’t won a match yet in New Zealand, so we’ll be definitely be looking for that.”

Forward Luke Jones, who is attracting the attention of Wallaby selectors with unstoppable bullocking each week, said the Brumbies’ upset was invaluable.

“It gets us back in the season,” he said.

“We’re two (wins) from five (matches). If we can make that three from six, that’s going to give us momentum into this season and bring us back into this competition.

“It just us confidence to our structure, our players.

“It just lets us know we can do this, it gives us massive confidence. We can beat any team in this comp if we want to.”

Melbourne’s dogged defence and high work rate were telling factors as it swept to victory despite trailing by 11 points early in the second half.

Woodward’s starring role came after the talented back was sidelined for two weeks with a knee problem.News_Rich_Media: Mebourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan and captain Scott Higginbotham address the media after their 32-24 victory over the ACT Brumbies.

Bruising around the knee restricted Woodward to a single kicking session - on the eve of the match - before he slotted eight from eight in a watershed performance.

Coach Tony McGahan was elated, declaring every player had contributed to the breakthrough win.

“The spirit they showed for each other was immense, they just really fought hard,” he said.

“It took them a little while to get into it, especially that first 40 minutes. But, they competed so hard in all facets, carry and run. They really played off the back of each other.”

ACT coaching director Laurie Fisher paid credit to the Rebels.

“When you see your season slipping away, good sides and well-coached sides like the Rebels aren’t just going to step aside and say they’ve had enough,” he said.

“They clawed their way back into the game.”

Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said Melbourne’s hunger was decisive.

“There were moments both teams could have been up for and they were up for it and it turned the game,” he said.

The Brumbies lamented failing to score sufficiently in the opening 20 minutes when they had more than 80 per cent possession, much of it smothered by spirited Melbourne defence.

Melbourne faces the Highlanders on Friday before facing reigning champion Chiefs in Hamilton on April 12.

Buoyed by confirmation Melbourne will have a team - Rebel Rising - in the August’s national rugby championships, Victorian rugby continues to thrive.

The Rebel under-15 and under-17 Junior Gold Cup sides have both reached the national finals.

The 15s upstaged ACT Brumbies 19-15 as the 17s downed North West Sydney Cobras 29-13.